Her Gilded Revenge For Stolen Fate novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3 I Don’t Deserve To Be Mom’s Daughter?

Quentin was furious at Vivian’s shameless behavior, but since she had saved Gloria, he couldn’t embarrass Gloria in front of everyone.

After a moment’s thought, he gave a polite nod to the lingering onlookers. They got the hint and reluctantly began to disperse. No one wanted to make an enemy of the Snyder family, though their curiosity was far from satisfied.

A cold smirk flashed in Vivian’s eyes. In her previous life, Quentin was convinced she’d tried to seduce Xavier. To protect the Snyder family’s century-old reputation, he publicly vowed to discipline her harshly and even threatened to disown her.

‘Now, with Princess Gloria stepping in, he immediately backed off, completely ignoring that so-called reputation. What a joke,’ Vivian thought.

Vivian’s gaze shifted to Celia, who was drenched in cold sweat and looked faint. Suddenly, Celia swayed unsteadily, as if about to collapse.

Vivian hurried over and caught her arm, pretending to be concerned. “Celia, are you alright?”

“Ugh, it’s this awful heat… and the sun… I feel dizzy,” Celia whispered, dabbing her forehead with a handkerchief and managing a weak smile.

Sylvia’s face was full of worry as she hurriedly urged, “Celia, why don’t you go back and rest? Don’t push yourself.”

“Thank you,” Celia replied with a gentle smile.

But Vivian wouldn’t let her leave. “With the truth still unclear, don’t you want to know what really happened, Celia?”

“Why would I want to know about such a vulgar affair? I’d rather spend my time reading books,” Celia replied.

Everyone knew Celia was the most celebrated accomplished girl in Aurestus. She wrote essays at three and composed poetry at five, with work that even the Queen Mother couldn’t stop praising. So it was no surprise she spoke with such confidence.

Celia tried to shake off Vivian’s hand, but Vivian’s grip was firm. ‘Since when was she so strong?’ Celia wondered.

She shot Vivian a stunned look, and Vivian drawled, “I know you’re learning from a great scholar and can’t stand all this messy drama. But if you leave before the hounds find out the truth, people will talk, and it can ruin you, you know.”

“Vivian, let go! You’re hurting her,” Sylvia said sharply, her face darkening with anger.

“No matter how hard I squeeze, it’s nothing compared to family punishment. Didn’t you hear Father? If the truth doesn’t come out, he might just beat me to death.” Vivian feigned a look of panic.

Celia froze in place. ‘If I walk away now, won’t everyone see me as the heartless sister who’d just let Vivian die?’ she thought, biting her lip hard enough to taste blood.

Gloria stepped in to smooth things over. “Vivian’s right. Words can cut deeper than knives. To avoid any lingering doubts and get to the bottom of this, it’s best if you stay, Celia.”

Vivian released Celia, then took the leashes from Gloria and let the hounds sniff the pale yellow fabric. She glanced up at Celia with a smirk and then slowly loosened her grip on the leashes.

The hounds barked and, under the stunned gaze of the crowd, darted straight toward Celia.

The ladies who hadn’t left yet couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

“No way! The hounds are going for Celia, not Vivian?”

“Wait, so the shameless one wasn’t Vivian, but…”

“You never really know someone’s true colors. Maybe Celia’s always been acting innocent.”

Sylvia’s sobs stopped instantly. The silk shop was a wedding gift to Beatrice, Vivian’s grandmother, from Beatrice’s family. It brought the Snyders a fortune every year, making all the young ladies yearn for it.

But on the day Celia turned 16, Beatrice handed the silk shop over to her. Every item of clothing worn by the ladies of the family came straight from that shop.

Seeing Sylvia speechless, Vivian turned to Quentin. “Father, this whole setup wasn’t aimed at Celia, but me. If not for Her Highness, I’d be half-dead from the family punishment by now. Would that make you and Celia happy?”

Celia shook her head desperately. “Vivian, you know I’ve always loved you the most. How could I ever conspire against your reputation? It must be one of the servants who slipped up and gave someone the perfect chance to set you up.”

Having been through a miserable life, Vivian wasn’t about to just swallow her grievances. “Since I got dragged into this mess because you couldn’t keep your staff in line, Celia, shouldn’t you make it right?”

“What do you want as compensation? I have a set of pigeon-blood ruby jewelry, carved by a master. It would suit you,” Celia offered.

“Oh, please, don’t try to brush me off with cheap trinkets,” Vivian said, waving her hand. “If you’re truly sincere, why not just give me the silk shop? You know I have nothing to my name. Nothing like your wealth and position.”

“I really underestimated you. You’re so greedy and vicious, even going after the gifts Celia got. You don’t deserve to be Sylvia’s daughter,” Quentin shouted angrily, jabbing a finger at Vivian’s nose.

“I don’t deserve to be Mom’s daughter?” Vivian scoffed. “Then whose daughter should I be? Flora’s?”

Sylvia’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt her blood run cold. ‘No way… Vivian couldn’t possibly know, could she?’ she thought.